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Redlands wins national environmental innovation award

November 30, 2012

Redland City Council has won the Environmental Innovation and Protection category at the Australian Sustainable Cities Awards.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams accepted the Keep Australia Beautiful award for Environmental Innovation and Protection at an awards ceremony in Sydney yesterday.

“While Redland City Council has been judged Queensland’s Most Sustainable City, this is the first time we have won a national award,” Cr Williams said.

“The award is recognition of Council’s sustainability achievements and strong focus on working in partnership with the community.

“I want to thank the residents and community groups of the Redlands for their involvement in Council programs and their enthusiasm in protecting our environment.

“It is these partnerships that achieve great outcomes for our community, but the job is not done. We must not rest on our laurels and continue to work together.”

The awards celebrate local sustainability achievements of urban communities across Australia and recognise efforts.

Seven finalists from around the country were in attendance at the national awards after winning state categories in September.

Cr Williams said Council was committed to delivering positive environmental, social and economic outcomes for the Redlands community.

“It is all about balance. Council works with the community and local interest groups to deliver a number of innovative projects and it is great to see this hard work recognised,” she said.

“There are four Council programs – Land for Wildlife, Rural Support, Waterways Extension and Your Backyard Garden – that provide technical and financial support to 79 landholders in agreement and more than 300 more informally.

“In addition, we have 44 dedicated Bushcare groups with more than 300 participants across the city.

“Community and Council programs have resulted in over 20,000 native plants being planted around the Redlands in the last financial year.

“The real success of these programs is the participation of our residents who would not consider themselves to be ‘green’, but who do want to manage their land well and leave an appropriate legacy to those that follow.”

More information about the awards is available from Keep Australian Beautiful by visiting www.kab.org.au